The State government will release two more instalments of the social security and welfare pensions before Vishu, Finance Minister K.N. Balagopal said on Friday.
Combined, the two instalments carry ₹3,200 (at the rate of ₹1,600 a month). The instalments constitute the pending payments for the months of October and November 2023. Last week, the government had authorised the disbursement of one pending monthly payment from mid-March. The monthly pensions are paid through bank accounts to a section of pensioners and through cooperatives to those who have opted for direct-to-home distribution.
The pension payments for the months up to February are in arrears. Kerala needs close to ₹900 crore to meet the monthly commitment on social security pensions and welfare board pensions.
